Optical inhibition of larval zebrafish behaviour with anion channelrhodopsins.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Optical silencing of activity provides a way to test the necessity of neurons in behaviour. Two light-gated anion channels, GtACR1 and GtACR2, have recently been shown to potently inhibit activity in cultured mammalian neurons and in Drosophila. Here, we test the usefulness of these channels in larval zebrafish, using spontaneous coiling behaviour as the assay.

Results

When the GtACRs were expressed in spinal neurons of embryonic zebrafish and actuated with blue or green light, spontaneous movement was inhibited. In GtACR1-expressing fish, only 3 μW/mm² of light was sufficient to have an effect; GtACR2, which is poorly trafficked, required slightly stronger illumination. No inhibition was seen in non-expressing siblings. After light offset, the movement

SUBMITTER: Mohamed GA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5670698 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature